This is Robert Scirocco bringing you today’s law bit. 

As everyone knows, we live in a society in which millions of lawsuits are filed ever year.

If you are sued, do you have the right to respond to false claims leveled against you by asserting that you have now been defaned or slandered?

The answer is no. Anyone who files a lawsuit is immune from a defamation or slander claim with respect to the allegations made in the lawsuit itself.

The courts grant immunity because they don't want to discourage people from suiing out of a fear that they themselves will be subject to a defamation claim.

But remember this immunity only applies to allegations made in a lawsuit. If you decide to go to the press or the public with false assertions about others, you're on your own.

This is Robert A. Scirocco, attorney at law, Budd Lake, New Jersey bringing you toda's law bit.

 This is Robert Scirocco, attorney at law, Budd Lake, New Jersey bringing you today’s law bit.